Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    100

    Default 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    Is it a sin for a 77 year old to tune down his mandolin to E-B-F#-C# for ease of play, only play for my own amusement, been away from MC for a few years.
    Treetopper

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Salem, Oregon
    Posts
    99

    Default Re: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    Quote Originally Posted by Treetopper View Post
    Is it a sin for a 77 year old to tune down his mandolin to E-B-F#-C# for ease of play, only play for my own amusement, been away from MC for a few years.
    Short answer:
    Nope.

    Long answer:
    Nope.

  3. #3
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    1. Not a sin; whatever floats thy boat.

    2. Might want to investigate a better set-up, lighter gauge strings, other expedients. You could want to play with other musicians at some point, play along with a recording, etc.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  4. #4
    totally amateur k0k0peli's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    lost in the woods below Lake Tahoe, California
    Posts
    604

    Default Re: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    An alternative mando for old hands: a 'ukulele strung in 5ths. A concert-size 'uke's fretboard is just a bit larger than most mandolins. A set of Aquila Concert Fifths Nylgut strings costs a few bucks and plays nicely, good for playing quietly without waking-up anyone, and is very easy on the fingers.
    Mandos: Coleman & Soviet ovals; Kay & Rogue A5's; Harmonia F2 & mandola
    Ukuleles: 3 okay tenors; 3 cheap sopranos; Harmonia concert & baritone
    Banjos: Gretsch banjolin; Varsity banjolele; Orlando 5-string; fretless & fretted Cümbüs o'uds
    Acoustic guitars: Martin Backpacker; Ibanez Performance; Art et Lutherie; Academy dobro; Ovation 12-string
    Others: Maffick & First Act dulcimers; Mexican cuatro-menor; Puerto Rican cuatro; Martin tiple; electrics
    Wanted: charango; balalaika; bowlback mando

  5. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    It's only been 7 years, welcome back!
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  6. #6
    Registered User DavidKOS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    North CA
    Posts
    5,020

    Default Re: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    lighter gauge strings
    I'd suggest using lighter string rather than tuning down. Best of luck returning to the mandolin.

  7. The following members say thank you to DavidKOS for this post:


  8. #7
    Registered User Jim Adwell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ocala, FL
    Posts
    515

    Default Re: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    Quote Originally Posted by k0k0peli View Post
    An alternative mando for old hands: a 'ukulele strung in 5ths. A concert-size 'uke's fretboard is just a bit larger than most mandolins. A set of Aquila Concert Fifths Nylgut strings costs a few bucks and plays nicely, good for playing quietly without waking-up anyone, and is very easy on the fingers.
    Better yet, this:

    http://www.amazon.com/Aquila-30U-Uku.../dp/B005WFTJPK

    Aquila 30U Ukulele SOPRANO in Violin/Mandolin Fifths Tuning - GDAE

    A couple of sets and Bob's yer uncle, so to speak...

    Also possible to buy nylon single strings and make a mandolin set. I'm using .033W, .024W,.034,.024 D'Addario singles on my mandolinetto.

  9. #8
    totally amateur k0k0peli's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    lost in the woods below Lake Tahoe, California
    Posts
    604

    Default Re: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Adwell View Post
    Better yet, this:

    http://www.amazon.com/Aquila-30U-Uku.../dp/B005WFTJPK

    Aquila 30U Ukulele SOPRANO in Violin/Mandolin Fifths Tuning - GDAE
    Those are on my second Kohala soprano... which, like my other sopranos, only has 12 frets. Hard to do some serious mando-type picking there. Concerts (usually?) have more frets and a little wider neck, easier for old fingers. For even more fun, and to FORCE one to concentrate on chording rather than melodic playing, just flip the re-entrant strings on a 'uke and tweak the tuning slightly. Flip gCEa to a#fCg and voila! Use those mando chord forms and wail.
    Mandos: Coleman & Soviet ovals; Kay & Rogue A5's; Harmonia F2 & mandola
    Ukuleles: 3 okay tenors; 3 cheap sopranos; Harmonia concert & baritone
    Banjos: Gretsch banjolin; Varsity banjolele; Orlando 5-string; fretless & fretted Cümbüs o'uds
    Acoustic guitars: Martin Backpacker; Ibanez Performance; Art et Lutherie; Academy dobro; Ovation 12-string
    Others: Maffick & First Act dulcimers; Mexican cuatro-menor; Puerto Rican cuatro; Martin tiple; electrics
    Wanted: charango; balalaika; bowlback mando

  10. #9
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Frederick,MD
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Re: 77 Year Old, back to mandolin after years away

    Nope, not a sin. If it works for you, it's better than not playing at all for sure. Welcome back!
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •